Town of Jupiter News
Vice-Mayor Wendy K. Harrison
Buildings See-Saw on Parkside
In Abacoa Town Center, as one building goes down (the Theater) another one arises. I doubt anyone thought Abacoa would be re-developing this soon. The Town had no choice but to allow the theater to be demolished, and the property owner has been notified multiple times that a theater is still the only permitted use for that property. The Town Council has repeatedly stated its support for a theater in Town Center. The good news is that the property is more valuable vacant than with the abandoned theater building which should encourage something to happen on that site.
More good news is that the building with the temporary orange supports going up at Town Center Drive and Parkside will be completed later this year. It will serve as the US headquarters for G4S/Wackenhut, the second largest private employer in the world, and will add 225 jobs to the Town Center. The daytime population will help the restaurants and businesses.
The Council last month approved the Institute for Healthy Living, which will be a state-of-the-art acute-care medical facility (nursing and convalescent care), including assisted living and memory care at the southern end of Central Blvd. A Clinical Research Center will be located at the Institute to work with the Scripps Research Institute and others, overseeing clinical drug and therapeutic trials, both at the facility and elsewhere. The Institute will also function as a nursing teaching facility, working with FAU and other local nursing schools to provide world-class training opportunities. The operators are expecting to open in 2012.
The residential builders never completely stopped, even in the depth of the recession, and the pace of building is visibly picking up speed this spring. Abacoa is just a great place to live and work and it shows.
Jupiter U
I saw quite a few Abacoa neighbors at the Jupiter U sessions in March and April. The History Tour and Water Plant tour were especially popular. The Town’s new water treatment plant on Central Blvd just south of the Indiantown Road intersection will be opening later this year and Jupiter U participants had a special preview tour.
Get Involved
If you’re interested in how your local taxes are spent, I encourage you to get involved. We’ve already begun to work on next year’s budget, which goes into effect October 1. The Town Council welcomes your participation and would like your input during the budget process. It’s not easy to find the right balance between keeping taxes low and providing the services residents and businesses deserve and expect. You can find out about upcoming meetings at
As always, please let me know if you have concerns or suggestions. You can reach me by e-mail at or at Town Hall at 741-2214. I’m also listed in the New Haven directory.
Wendy Harrison